Maria of Masovia

Maria of Masovia (pl: Maria mazowiecka; 1408/15–14 February 1454) was a Duchess of Pomerania by marriage to Bogislaw IX, Duke of Pomerania, and regent of Pomerania from 1446 to 1449.

Maria on a family tree by Cornelius Krommeny

Life

She was the sixth daughter of Siemowit IV, Duke of Masovia and Alexandra, a daughter of Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania and sister of King Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland.

In Poznań on 24 June 1432, Maria married Bogislaw IX, Duke of Pomerania-Wolgast-Słupsk in Stargard, first cousin and heir designated of Eric of Pomerania, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The marriage strengthened the alliance between Bogislaw IX and King Władysław II Jagiełło against the Teutonic Order, and as a result they lost the land who connected them with the Holy Roman Empire. For this, the Order tried to prevent the wedding, and Bogislaw IX had to arrive in Poznań dressed like a pilgrim.

After her husband's death on 7 December 1446, Maria became in the regent of his domains until 1449, when the male heir, ex-King Eric, returned to rule after being deposed from his three Kingdoms.

Maria died on 14 February 1454. She was buried in the Chapel of Słupsk Castle. During renovations in 1788 her sarcophagus was found and burned.

Issue

Notes
  1. E. Rymar, Rodowód książąt pomorskich, Szczecin 2005, p. 349.
  2. Others sources placed her death in 1450. See: J. W. Szymański: Książęcy ród Gryfitów, Goleniów – Kielce 2006, p. 40.
  3. E. Rymar, Rodowód książąt pomorskich, Szczecin 2005, pp. 347-349.

References
  • M. Wilamowski: Maria, [in:] K. Ożóg, S. Szczur (ed.): Piastowie. Leksykon biograficzny, Kraków 1999, p. 325.
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